Sierra Leone’s next acapella talent

Looking for a holiday escape? Why not head off to Sierra Leone – a paradisiacal destination that has long been forgotten by tourists. The country experienced horrors during its civil war in the 1990s, but it has been at peace for a long time and is doing everything possible to attract visitors. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Olivia Bizot.

In Sierra Leone, a team of researchers and agronomists have found traces of a wild coffee known as Coffea stenophylla. Farmed until the beginning of the 20th century, it used to be served to European high society. But due to its scarcity, it was gradually replaced by arabica and robusta strains. Forgotten by farmers, Coffea stenophylla was thought to have completely disappeared by 1954. The new find has generated much excitement in Sierra Leone because of its potential to revolutionise the global coffee sector. Our team reports.

Sierra Leone's president said he would sign the abolition of capital punishment, fulfilling a personal campaign pledge. Some 99 people in the country are currently sitting on death row.

Sierra Leone's President, Julius Maada Bio, announces the abolition of the death penalty during a ceremony in Freetown after lawmakers approved the bill to abolish the capital punishment in July. Sierra Leone, which is still recovering after decades of civil war, had frequently come under fire from rights groups for keeping capital punishment on the books. Ninety-four people were living under a death sentence at the end of 2020, according to deputy minister of justice Umaru Napoleon Koroma.

Between 1991 and 2002, the small West African nation of Sierra Leone was ravaged by a decade of war, which left between 50,000 and 200,000 people dead. The conflict was also marked by rapes, mutilations and the forced use of child soldiers in both the rebel and regular armies. Twenty years on, the country is still trying to recover from the civil war, one of Africa's most brutal. Sierra Leone remains deeply divided and plagued by corruption. And despite its many riches, it is one of the poorest countries in the world.

The explosion, in the capital, Freetown, happened as large crowds gathered to collect leaking fuel. The oil tanker was damaged earlier in an accident with a bus.

A half-volley by Kelechi Iheanacho sealed a 1-0 win for Nigeria against a lacklustre Egypt. Reigning champions Algeria's campaign to retain their title got off to an underwhelming start as they were held to a goalless draw by a spirited Sierra Leone. FRANCE 24's Selina Sykes is joined by sport editor Simon Harding and James Vasina to discuss all the action.

Eyewitness video captures a person, believed to be a police officer, firing a handgun and tear gas during an anti-government demonstration in Freetown.

The vast majority of Sierran Leoneans — 80 percent in fact — are under 35. But is the government doing enough to empower this young generation? DW's Edith Kimani asks young Sierra Leoneans if they feel powerful enough to make their mark on the global stage.

The newly passed equality act aims to tackle the massive imbalance between men and women in positions of power. It also guarantees at least 14 weeks of maternity leave.

We meet filmmaker Adenike Hamilton, who returned to her home country, Sierra Leone, to create her own version of her country's narrative.

A giant tree that towered over Sierra Leone's capital for centuries and symbolized freedom to its early residents crashed down overnight during a heavy rainstorm.